Benjamin and Garrett Flinner to compete in national pedal pull

Tuesday

Sep 4, 2012 at 4:00 AM

By ABBY ARMBRUSTER Staff Writer

SHREVE -- Fraternal twins Benjamin and Garrett Flinner began entering tractor pull competitions at 4 years old due to the competitive nature of her boys, according to mom Susan Flinner, and now have found themselves qualifying for the national tractor pull competition at age 10.

Earlier this month, the brothers Flinner competed at the statewide competition in Bucyrus. Participating with about a half-dozen other 10-year-olds, both of the boys finished five pulls, whereas most of the competitors were done after one pull, according to Benjamin.

"We're proud of ourselves when we make a full pull," Benjamin said.

After six years in the world of tractor pulls, Benjamin and Garrett each have six trophies and many ribbons to their name.

"We're going to have to get (a trophy case)," Susan Flinner said. According to the brothers, dad Regan Flinner plans on making one for their winnings.

With the national competition Sept. 22 in Mitchell, S.D., the boys are raising funds to earn the gas money to take them there. The brothers are holding a fundraiser at Tractor Supply Company in Wooster Sept. 15, selling hot dogs between 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

In addition to fundraising, Benjamin and Garrett said they train each day by jogging around the track with their friends during recess at Parkview Elementary. The running helps build up their leg muscles, Benjamin said.

Susan Flinner said she has also witnessed the boys tying up trash cans filled with heavy items to their bicycles so they can get used to pulling various amounts of weight before their competition.

Benjamin and Garrett are also training for competition through their tackle football league, taking the family dog, Ben, for walks and running.

While the upcoming national competition through the National Pedal Pullers Association is the biggest the brothers have competed in, they have already determined that they want to make tractor pulling a career.

"We think we'll get to one point where we're famous when we do it," Garrett said.

"We think we might be able to make it into a sport," Benjamin said.

During their state tractor pull event, Benjamin and Garrett were able to pull 275 pounds, and finished second and third behind another Shreve student who took first place.

Although the boys do not get nervous before their competition, they said they do keep a few things in mind when they are riding.

"Keep the wheel straight; keep your butt on the seat," Benjamin said.

"You need to start out fast because then you just run on momentum," Garrett said.

Also, whatever you do, Garrett said, you cannot turn around while riding.

"Don't look back. It'll distract you," Garrett said.

"And then you'll end up turning the wheel. And once you turn it, it makes it harder and you can't turn back," Benjamin said, adding to Garrett's advice.

Even if they don't place in the top three spots, the Flinner brothers said they don't mind.

"They're pretty supportive of each other, though. They want each other to do well," Susan Flinner said.

"We don't care if someone doesn't win a trophy, we just care that we're doing it together," Garrett said.

If one of the brothers does lose an interest in tractor pulls, Benjamin said he'd be mad that they couldn't do it together. But for now, the Flinners said they are excited to travel to South Dakota and to hopefully make millions with their future tractor pull fortune.

Contact Abby Armbruster at 330-287-1632 or e-mail her at aarmbruster@the-daily-record.com. Follow her on Twitter @abbyarmbruster.